zArchive – 2021 Entertainment Lineup

Drawing equally on the lyrical density of Townes Van Zandt, the anti-establishment libertarian sentiments of punk-rock and the experimental leanings of a Jeff Tweedy, Al Grantham weaves a unique tapestry of music and words. His new album, Your Person, was released on June 8th through Bandcamp to raise funds for Community Living Brant, an organization that provides support and services to people in the community with developmental needs. Your person will be available across all [...]

Host and Master of Ceremonies for our 44th Markham Village Music "Virtual" Festival Aliya Kanani is a Toronto-based comedian best known for her playful and mischievous personality. Her solo show, "Where You From, From?", sold out at the 2019 Just for Laughs Festival, 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and 2020 World Fringe in Perth. Aliya has performed on stages around the world including the renowned Gotham Comedy Club in New York with Standup NBC [...]

Cale Crowe has always felt a musical passion, sparking from childhood with his first guitar at age 12. He performs with an acoustic guitar and a looping pedal, creating stories that reflect snapshot moments of his own experience for the world to see. Crowe’s musical journey helped him escape the tribulations of awkward adolescence (and sometimes adulthood) and has since taken him across Turtle Island, from Albuquerque to the Atlantic. Cale’s unique performance is one [...]

Deanna Drudge is a singer/songwriter with a unique variety of indie folk rock - a hint of grunge with a touch of outlaw country while her roots as a woman with a guitar are up front and sincere. These elements are seamlessly blended together with the accessibility of catchy pop tunes. The sound has been cultivated through years of writing and playing solo and with her band formerly known as Pigeon. Deanna grew up on [...]

Edwin Johnson got his first guitar in Grade 4 or 5. He had just changed schools and met John Shisko who just got a set of drums. They started hanging out and got the grand idea to start a band, so they did! With the help of Johnson’s little brother on bass, "Cast Iron" was formed. Throughout high school and beyond Johnson played in a handful of bands, gigging here and there. One night he [...]

Fred Penner is a gentle man with an undeniable ability to make you feel good about yourself. This musical master brings more than 40 years of commitment, consistency and depth to a career that blends the many genres of performing and communication. Fred continues to grow and create music for his generations of “Fred Heads.” From hosting the United Way National conference in Saskatoon to emceeing the renowned Polaris Music Awards and being part  of [...]

Hot off the release of her debut EP 'Sunflower', Holly Clausius is a queer artist blazing a trail of her own. Her original voice can be as sharp as a sewing needle and as smooth a cup of chamomile tea. Holly currently resides in Toronto, Ontario and is a full time musician/music teacher. Placing 2nd in the Cross Canada Artist For Social Change competition, Holly’s mission in music is to be a voice for the [...]

Isaac Hunter Page is a Canadian musician existing and writing in two realms as two people: Isaac Page as a classical composer and conductor, and Isaac Hunter as a singer songwriter. The songs of Isaac Hunter feature self-deprecating humour, songs of heartbreak and relationships gone wrong, and nostalgic yearning all filtered through an eclectic mix of influences. Isaac Hunter’s first EP, Four Songs, was released in August 2020, and since then he has released a [...]

Jen Schaffer and the Shiners hail from Toronto via Montreal, Hamburg, Calgary and the UK! They are purveyors of original soulful folkrock music with lush harmonies and heavy bass. Jen Schaffer is the lead singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist. She came to music via a stint as a public defender in the Appalachian foothills of Ohio, where she gained a love of alt-country music and a heightened social conscience. Her self-penned works, which have garnered [...]

John Muirhead is a Canadiana troubadour, a campfire storyteller, and a big-hearted folk-rocker. From fingerpicked folk confessionals to upbeat singalongs, John’s award-winning songs have touched audiences across Canada and beyond. Since the release of his debut EP Yesterday’s Smile, John has earned a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination (Young Performer of the Year, 2017), a Forest City London Music Award nomination (Folk/Roots Artist of the Year, 2020), and has graced the stages of Winnipeg Folk [...]

Julie Moffat has been writing music most of her life; she pours her soul into her song writing and her deepest emotions fuel her creations. She's had extensive vocal training and with her combination of technical ability and passion, she delivers a genuine, emotive performance. Julie participated in the Judy Stakee song writing retreat in New York, where she worked with industry professionals towards enhancing her craft. She has since recorded her debut EP with [...]

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Michelle Rubinov immersed herself in the York Region music scene a few years ago - starting with karaoke nights, moving on to performing at open mics, and then even joining other bands like Jay Dee Band on vocals and tambourine! Battling stage fright all the while, she began writing her own songs and finally set out to perform her original material, as an acoustic duo with Kevin Zarnett on accompanying solo guitar. An avid traveller [...]

Mimi O'Bonsawin If you can embrace the grace and power of Northern Ontario landscapes, you will feel the music of Mimi O’Bonsawin. She epitomizes the powerful scenery and the beauty of its waters through her music, all the while yielding to her rich and warm French Canadian and Abenakis heritages. Her musical creations flow through a center of love, with the intention to give back and spread awareness. Her newest release ELLE DANSE is a [...]

Quincy Bullen is an accomplished pianist, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist (drums, bass, guitar, Piano) and singer. Extraordinarily talented, with a great sense of timing, Quincy ‘wows’ audiences across Canada, the USA and the Caribbean. His style is jazz with a funky vibe. His repertoire includes his own version of popular standards from jazz, R&B, Pop and soul as well as his original compositions. He has been a featured performer at many large music festivals and venues [...]

Ron Hawkins has long been revered as one of Canada's greatest contemporary singer-songwriters. As lead singer/multi-instrumentalist and main songwriter of Canada's legendary Lowest of the Low, Ron Hawkins has enjoyed many accolades through the years: In 1996, 2000 and again in 2005, Chart Magazine honoured the group's 1991 debut album, Shakespeare My Butt, with spots in the top 10 of the Top 100 Canadian Albums of All Time. In 2000 and once again in 2015, [...]

The Beresfords are a brother and sister country music duo from Aurora, Ontario. Their debut EP skyrocketed to #4 on the Canadian iTunes Country charts during its release in June of 2017. With new music on the way for summer 2018 and festival season in full effect, you won't want to miss these two. They are so excited to be back on the bill for this year’s festival."